Student using journalism equipment

Department of Languages, Information and Communications

A vibrant teaching and research community, with a strong international reputation across a range of disciplines.

Introduction to the department

Our department is home to 65 members of staff and over 1,000 students. We’re committed to producing world-leading research with impact and delivering high-quality, student-centred learning. Our activity spans two areas:

Journalism, Information and Communications

Our history dates back to the Manchester Library School’s founding in 1946. Over nearly 80 years, we’ve developed an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research.

Our team includes expert academics and experienced professionals across creative media and information communications. We teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in:

  • library and information management
  • digital media
  • web development
  • communications
  • multimedia journalism

Strong industry links

We collaborate with the media, library and information professions, and research partners in the public sector. Our network provides development opportunities, guest speakers and input into our teaching.

At the heart of Manchester

We're based in one of Europe's largest digital industry clusters, with excellent networking opportunities and regular meet-ups like GeekUP, Ladies that UX and Northern Digital's BLAB.

State-of-the-art environment

Our equipment includes a multipurpose TV studio, two radio studios, and everything from audio recorders to high-end cameras.

The Northern Quota

Our news website is run by staff and students from our multimedia journalism courses. It covers sports reports, reviews, features and breaking news.

Languages, Linguistics and TESOL

Our staff are experts in their fields with national and international reputations. We teach a range of modern foreign languages, which can be combined with linguistics, TESOL, international relations and business management:

  • French

  • Spanish

  • Modern Standard Arabic

  • Mandarin Chinese

  • Japanese

We also offer English language, linguistics and TESOL courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Industry-standard facilties

Our modern building includes a language resource centre with language learning software, and study spaces to practise and interact.

Highly-ranked for linguistics

We're 6th in the UK in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 8th in the UK for research power in the Research Excellence Framework. We're also home to the Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics.

Accredited English language courses

In addition to our degree programmes, we offer British Council-accredited pre-sessional English, TrinityCERT TESOL, and bespoke English language training to a range of international partners.

Film in Language Teaching Association (FILTA)

Staff in our department co-founded and co-direct FILTA, which promotes teaching and learning languages through film. FILTA brings together over 1,300 language teachers and researchers, from more than 30 countries.

About the department